Minutes of the Board meeting of October, 17th, 2017



= Foundation Board Minutes for Tue, October 17th 2017, 17:00 UTC =

Next meeting date Tue, October 24th 2017, 17:00 UTC

Wiki: https://wiki.gnome.org/FoundationBoard/Minutes/20171017

== Attending ==

 * Alexandre Franke
 * Allan Day
 * Rosanna Yuen
 * Meg Ford
 * Carlos Soriano

== Regrets ==

 * Cosimo Cecchi
 * Zeeshan Ali
 * Neil McGovern

== Missing ==

 * Nuritzi Sanchez

== Agenda for 2017-10-17 ==

 * Conference spending policy updates
 * Travel support for UX hackfest
 * Name for internships for privacy funds
 * Review ongoing actions

== Minutes ==

 * Conference spending policy updates
  * The current policy would allow organizers to spend money they haven’t raised yet, which could lead to a loss
  * Carlos suggested to approve two complementary budgets
   * a part that can only be spent if raised 
   * a part that can be spent even if not raised, to make sure the conference happens
  * Organizers are expected to make a profit, but a small loss would not be a problem
  * The main goal should be to make a good conference
  * How does the organizers forecast the amount they’ll raise?
  * How does the newly appointed sponsorship committee tie in with that?
   * Coordination between the two is expected
  * VOTE: approve new policy with 2 budgets for conferences (minimal + extras depending on money raised)
   +1 Carlos, -1 Allan, Meg. Abstained: Alexandre. VOTE DOESN’T PASS
  * VOTE: conference organizers should be required to have a new budget approved by the board if they raised less than 70% of their budgeted income
   +1 Allan, Meg, Abstained: Carlos, Alexandre. VOTE PASSED
  * 70% by what time? The problem is that conferences often don't know what their income is going to be until very late - sponsors are often confirmed at the last minute.
  * VOTE: invalidate the previously passed vote (let's give this more time to see if we can find a good solution)
   +1 Alexandre, Allan, Carlos, Abstained: Meg. VOTE PASSED

 * Travel support for UX hackfest
  * Allan has emailed the board asking for help - didn’t get a response to his last email and timing is becoming an issue
  * All of the Travel Committee is at GNOME.Asia
  * Main requirement at the moment is to book accommodation
  * ACTION: Carlos to send an email to board list to have the full board make a decision; will ask the board to approve budget for the cost of the accommodation; hackfest attendees to apply to the travel committee for travel costs in the usual manner

 * Name for internships for privacy funds
  * If there is no contract it is not technically an internship
  * Discussion needs to continue on list

== _Ongoing_ ==

'''This section includes items which have seen an update in the last 30 days. Format is "YYYY-MM-DD, action|discussion|abstract" for this and subsequent minutes sections'''

 *  Payment authorization policy
  * https://wiki.gnome.org/FoundationBoardPrivate/Budget#Payment_authorization
  * VOTE: approve the new Payment authorization policy as specified on the private budget wiki page
   * +1 Allan, Nuritzi, Carlos, Cosimo, Meg, Alexandre, Zeeshan - VOTE PASSES
  * ACTION: Allan to make the page public (with ACL to prevent modifications from anyone else than the board)
   * 2017-10-08 - page has been made public but Allan isn't certain what to do about the ACL
  * ACTION: Nuritzi to ensure that this is announced to the Foundation

 * Employee travel policy updates
  * https://lists.sfconservancy.org/pipermail/policies-discuss/2017-August/000104.html and https://lists.sfconservancy.org/pipermail/policies-discuss/2017-August/000103.html are changes that have been made by Conservancy to update their travel policy.
  * VOTE: incorporate changes into the Staff Travel Policy
   * +1 Unanimous. VOTE PASSES
  * ACTION: Allan to put this on a public wiki page
  * ACTION: Neil to make the changes
  * 2017-10-16 - the policy is now public at https://wiki.gnome.org/Foundation/TravelPolicy and Neil has made the changes ( https://wiki.gnome.org/action/info/Foundation/TravelPolicy?action=""> ) - COMPLETE

 * Conference spending policy
  * VOTE: approve the policy as specified on the wiki page: https://wiki.gnome.org/FoundationBoardPrivate/Budget#Conference_spending_policy
   * +1 Unanimous. VOTE PASSES
  * ACTION: Allan to review budget page and move relevant sections to the public area
  * ACTION: Allan to create conference requirements page, should include a requirement that they follow the brand guidelines
  * 2017-10-16 - both actions are done - https://wiki.gnome.org/Foundation/Conferences - COMPLETE

 * Budget for FY2018
  * VOTE: approve the budget as presented by Neil
   * +1 Unanimous. VOTE PASSES
  * ACTION: Neil to communicate with Shaun
  * ACTION: Neil to put the budget spreadsheet into cloud.gnome.org and link to it from appropriate places, including a written version of the reserves policy

 * Intention to create marketing committee
  * To dispense money for small events and marketing line items
  * In the meantime, we would have an individual budget holder
  * VOTE: appoint Nuritzi as the temporary budget holder
   * +1 Nem con. VOTE PASSES
  * There are concerns about the correct course of action.
  * ACTION: Nuritzi to come up with a charter for the proposed committee

 * Zazzle store
  * We have a link on the page where we list vendors
  * Andreas confirmed that Stormy is the one with access
  * ACTION: Allan to try to reach out to Stormy
   * 2017-10-08 - Allan got in touch with Stormy and got some login information, but he still can't access the account. More followup is required.
  * ACTION: Nuritzi to assess the quality and check whether we want to continue using them

 * Using TransferWise or some other payment system
  * This has been recommended to us as a good alternative to Paypal that is cheaper and works in certain countries where Paypal does not work
  * 2017-09-19
   * Since Rosanna and Neil would be the main users of this, a good next step would be for them to review options and report to the Board
   * ACTION: Neil will look into this and coordinate with Rosanna when she's back
  * 2017-10-08
   * This is now set up
   * Need to put this into travel sponsorship form
   * ACTION: Alexandre to talk to the travel committee to add this to the options
   * ACTION: Nuritzi to add this option to the small events reimbursement page
   * ACTION: Rosanna to test if it works well
   * ACTION: Nuritzi to announce it to foundation-list

 * Looking for sponsorship for GitLab runners
  * To increase our Continuous Integration capacity on the GNOME GitLab server, we'll need to provision some more servers, as we migrate more projects there
  * We could ask for help to our Advisory Board, or use our network to ask for support from other companies
   * It would make more sense to ask for hardware/cycles directly, rather than fundraising, since server bandwidth is a recurring cost
  * 2017-10-08
   * Neil is waiting for verification before this can proceed further

 * Calls with committees
  * Twice a year with each committee, once after the board elections (end June/early July and then late November-early January).
  * The call is a touch point - a way of checking in. Needs to stimulate ongoing conversations and ad hoc problem solving. Committees will be invited to calls with the whole Board to problem solve around specific things.
  * One board member and the ED meet with each committee (or a board member and the director of operations if there's no ED).
  * Where possible the same board member should be consistent.
  * Board representatives then feed back to the rest of the board.
  * 2017-10-08
   * First meetings in the sequence to happen in November. Should focus on collaboratively setting goals and identifying issues.
   * Once the 
   * ACTION: Carlos to meet with membership committee, see if we should update committee charter https://wiki.gnome.org/MembershipCommittee
   * ACTION: Alexandre to meet with the travel committee, see if we should update committee charter https://wiki.gnome.org/Travel/Committee
   * ACTION: Cosimo to meet with the sponsorship committee

 * Foundation support for Flathub
  * 2017-05-09
   * The Board voted to try and use some of our pro-bono counsel time towards the Flathub legal framework, provided our lawyers agree
   * ACTION: Neil to connect to Luis
  * 2017-05-16 - Exact questions to ask Luis are being worked up
  * 2017-06-06 - Questions sent to Luis, being looked at.
  * 2017-09-05 - Being passed to Karen now, discussions have stalled a little, Neil chasing up
  * 2017-10-08
   * Neil and Rob are going to meet Karen at Freenode Live and try to talk about this

 * Hackfest process documentation
  * 2017-02-14
   * ACTION: Nuritzi to take a stab at updating the documentation for the process to request a hackfest and responsibilities between Board and TC
  * 2017-05-02
   * Nuritzi will work on this by end of May, check in then
  * 2017-09-05: Nuritzi updated the wiki about a week ago but we should go over this in Berlin.
  * 2017-10-08
   * Part of this was done at the hackfest, we'll need to update the wiki page
   * Another part is pending reply from Pam about how an event can use the GNOME wordmark
   * ACTION: Nuritzi to update the wiki page, including Alexandre's proposed statement about openness of hackfests

 * Owncloud shared calendar for the board
  * 2016-08-10
   * Cosimo tested creating an event, but with mixed results
   * ACTION: Cosimo to take it on from here
  * 2016-09-06 - Allan has started a list of reoccuring events on the wiki - https://wiki.gnome.org/FoundationBoardPrivate/Minutes/UpcomingAgenda
  * 2017-03-07
   * Neil is looking into a similar calendar so will take over
  * 2017-07-26
   * (Neil) can someone else have this? Alexandre volunteers. #challengeaccepted
  * 2017-08-19
   * Alexandre tested the shared calendar that Allan set up a while back on nextcloud, seems to work well
   * We are entering beta phase with some directors opting in

=== Ongoing but stalled ===

'''This section includes items which haven't seen an update in the last 30 days.'''

 * Dropping dates in copyright claims on our websites
  * 2016-12-06
   * ACTION: Alexandre to send an email to foundation-list with a proposal for discussion
  * 2016-12-20
   * Next step seems to be to reach out to Creative Commons to get advice on what exactly can and should be done
  * 2017-01-24
   * Alexandre reached out to Creative commons
  * 2017-02-28
   * Alexandre will try alternative channels
  * 2017-05-02
   * We got a reply, Alexandre to follow up
  * 2017-05-30
   * Two options
    * Have terms of use on the website that state that linking to a page is sufficient attribution
    * Require contributors to assign their attribution to the GNOME Foundation

 * Privacy campaign funds
  * 2016-09-27
   * Draft is out for the Board to review and give feedback
   * ACTION: Cosimo to try and form a committee to review internship proposals
  * 2016-10-26
   * We are aiming for an internship round in spring 2017
  * 2017-07-26
   * Carlos and Zeeshan are taking this over -- the plan is still to do internships

 * Friends of GNOME
  * 2016-08-10
   * ACTION: Allan to get in touch with Tobi and the sysadmin team to migrate the FoG infrastructure over to GNOME
  * 2017-03-07
   * Allan will pass this on to Neil, and connect him to Tobi
  * 2017-04-18 - Neil has CRM working (ish) on the gnome website, we're looking at how to move the PayPal IPN to CiviCRM
   * At sysadmin meeting at GUADEC

 * Paypal Giving Fund
  * Alexandre suggested in december 2015 to get us enrolled in the program
   * That would give us exposure. For example Humble bundle allows to direct the charity part of purchases towards any of their participants
  * Zana tried to get us in sometime before may 2016, we never heard back.
  * 2016-09-06
   * ACTION: Zana to look into it

=== Ongoing but no director assigned ===

'''This section includes items which haven't seen an update in the last 30 days and have no Director assigned'''


== Nice to have ==

'''This section includes items which we would love to see happen at some point but lack the time to effectively become reality'''

 * Contract template for future use organizations for which we handle money
  * Kat to draft this
  * Alexandre took over
  * 2017-07-26
   * This is close to being done

 * Privacy policy for GNOME services
  * Current draft is at https://wiki.gnome.org/Foundation/Privacy
  * Sysadmin Team's NDA should also be covered when dealing with this item
  * Kat or Allan to write up the policy
  * Kat or Allan to write up recommended wording for distribution privacy policies, regarding the behaviour of GNOME software
  * 2017-07-26
   * Allan is still working on this, but with low priority

== Discussed on the mailing list ==


== Completed actions ==

 * Freenode Live trip
  * Neil is set to keynote the event
  * VOTE: approve travel for Neil
   * +1 Unanimous. VOTE PASSES

 * CoC Workshop sponsorship
  * A group of people (Sarah Sharp, others) in SF are putting together a workshop about enforcement of CoC in communities or events
  * The CoC working group would like to attend to e.g. help them with the enforcing guidelines
  * The organizers of the workshop asked us to consider donating resources to this event, including sponsoring Sarah's travel for the event
  * Total request: up to $3600 for training materials, flight and accommodation for Sarah, but whatever we can afford
   * The request comes from Rosanna and Nuritzi; Rosanna has been contacted privately by the organizers
  * 2017-09-19
   * Would like to see a cost breakdown
   * General feeling we should not cover all the cost ourselves, and we should make sure it's geared towards our needs too
   * ACTION: Nuritzi to get on a call with Josh and report back to the Board
  * 2017-09-26
   * Timing not ideal
   * Would help establishing a relationship with a local community
   * Cost is high
   * We’d prefer more planning
   * ACTION: Nuritzi to work on planning something in the same vein
  * 2017-10-03
   * far from ideal situation
   * everyone rather hesitant
   * still an opportunity
   * also a nudge towards a local community
   * VOTE: offer to fund up to $1800
    * +1 Nuritzi, Cosimo, Zeeshan, -1 Alexandre, Abstained Allan. PASSED
   * ACTION: Nuritzi to get back to them
    * DONE (via text to Josh so he can talk to Sarah)
   * ACTION: Nuritzi to send an email to foundation-list to gauge interest
    * DONE

 * Mexico workshop
  * 2017-08-29
    * Was supposed to start yesterday, has been delayed.
  * 2017-10-08
    * We will stop tracking this, and put it back here if it comes back

 * Engagement team committee for funds
  * The committee would allocate small budgets for events like release parties
  * Board to vote on this once we have a list of volunteers and a description of the committee's role
  * 2017-10-08
   * This was discussed at our hackfest and has been replaced by other action items

 * GNOME.Asia logo / "A simple explanation of GNOME.Asia 2017's logo to FoundationBoard" email
  * The design is not optimal, could use some tweaking but it’s alright.
  * ACTION: Allan to write recommendations for next year
   * 2017-07-11 - Allan still not done this. Sad face.
  * 2017-10-08
   * This should be covered by the brand guidelines; we're going to track this together with the conference policy page

 * GUADEC 2017 finance request
   * The board wishes to make this a more straightforward process in the future
    * ACTION: Neil to make sure that expenses allocation for future conferences is discussed by the board in person at GUADEC
  * 2017-10-08
   * This was discussed at our hackefst. DONE


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